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10-8-2020

Kenyon Collegian - October 8, 2020

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Recommended Citation "Kenyon Collegian - October 8, 2020" (2020). The Kenyon Collegian. 2532. https://digital.kenyon.edu/collegian/2532

This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the College Archives at Digital Kenyon: Research, Scholarship, and Creative Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Kenyon Collegian by an authorized administrator of Digital Kenyon: Research, Scholarship, and Creative Exchange. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ESTABLISHED 1856 October 8, 2020 Vol. CXLVIII, No. 7 Beta put on interim suspension after hosting large gathering AMELIA CARNELL that Beta members had tried to keep people STAFF WRITER from entering the building. Speaking about the investigation process, LINNEA MUMMA Greek Council President James Loveland ’22 NEWS EDITOR said that this was not necessarily a Beta-af- filiated event, but rather an event hosted by On Friday, Oct. 2, several members of the a few members of the organization. “I expect Beta Theta Pi (Beta) fraternity hosted a large that [the investigation] will go pretty quickly, party at the privately owned Beta Temple, just because it seems relatively straightfor- leading to the organization’s interim sus- ward,” he said. pension. This suspension comes amid gen- In addition to undergoing the College’s eral concerns about on-campus parties that Student Conduct process, the chapter was violate COVID-19 protocols. reported to their national fraternity organi- President of Beta Theta Pi Michael Picone zation, from which they could face addition- ’21 said that about 30 people were present at al consequences. the peak of the event, though Vice President Unfortunately, this gathering is not an for Student Affairs Meredith Harper Bon- unusual instance of partying on college ham ’92 suggested there were more. “The es- campuses during a pandemic. Since late timates from the Campus Safety report were July, 130,000 positive COVID-19 cases have somewhere around 50 to 60,” she said. been traced to colleges, according to the New BIRHANU T. GESSESE Dean of Campus Life Laura Kane, who York Times, 42,000 of which were reported is handling the investigation, described the since September. in Caples Residence Hall. One Caples resi- students, all of our athletics teams will need suspension as a pause intended to “ensure Although this case of partying among the dent, who was granted anonymity to pro- to remain or return to Phase 2 training for that anything like the reported information Betas is not unique in comparison to other tect their privacy, said that large parties have this week,” she wrote. Notably, Phase 2 will from the Beta Temple would not happen campuses, this is not the first time that the occurred almost every weekend. “[Campus limit group practices from 10 athletes to again.” It will remain in effect while the or- Betas in particular have been under scru- Safety officers] write people up every [week- around 50. ganization is under investigation. tiny on Kenyon’s campus. In the 2019-20 end] night,” they said, with some events con- In addition to these changes, Bonham Picone described the incident as a academic year, the Betas were found to be taining “upwards of 45” people. discussed new, safe ways in which students planned event which quickly got out of con- non-compliant with the College’s Standards In response to these large student gath- can gather and adhere to the social distanc- trol. “The gathering was supposed to be a of Excellence for the third consecutive year, erings, the Department of Athletics has re- ing guidelines laid out in the College’s Stu- bonfire with just a small group that grew putting them at “Third year, Level One” non- instated additional restrictions for sports dent Conduct Addendum. She acknowl- into something bigger unintentionally,” he compliance, which is the most severe catego- teams. In an email sent to student-athletes, edged that students need to socialize, but wrote in an email to the Collegian. Picone ry of noncompliance. Director of Athletics Jill McCartney de- suggested that they do so safely. “We really also added that “members were wearing However, this is not the only large gath- scribed what this process would look like. need students to come forward with their masks, especially when people who were not ering reported to have occurred on campus; “Out of an abundance of caution and con- good ideas, and not engage in unsafe behav- supposed to be there had shown up,” and there have also been concerns about parties cern for the well-being of faculty, staff, and iors,” she said. K-SWOC meets with Campus Senate, makes little headway GRANT HOLT calling it a matter of “life and death.” out rooms you will be able to ask students, our needs were filtered into you feel like you’re not being listened STAFF WRITER “And I don’t use that lightly, but when people if they want to be interviewed neutral, nondescript language when to,” Gallagher said. “But the biggest Campus Senate and members of you’re talking about student workers about what their experience is,” Gal- presented to the entire group,” he said. thing I can stress is that you are abso- the Board of Trustees met with repre- being denied paid sick leave during lagher wrote in an email to the Colle- The administration also did not lutely being listened to, because there sentatives from the Kenyon Student a pandemic that can lead to exacer- gian on Sunday night. seem to acknowledge the work K- would not be this many people dedi- Worker Organizing Committee (K- bating an outbreak on campus, and Once the breakout rooms were as- SWOC put into showcasing student cated to having a meeting at 4:15 on SWOC) on Wednesday, intending actually cost people their lives,” Ball signed, however, the President’s Chief voices and assembling testimonials, a Wednesday to listen to student em- to learn more about student employ- added. “These are issues that need to of Staff Susan Morse told reporters which could be found on all of their ployment if it wasn’t their top prior- ees’ experiences. Over 60 students be addressed, and right now it feels that they were prohibited from enter- social media platforms. Ball’s testi- ity at one of the busiest hours of the showed up to the virtual event, with like they are kicking the can down ing them. monial was a restating of concerns K- week.” President Sean Decatur and Vice the road and chose Campus Sen- Some members of K-SWOC felt SWOC already posted on its website. Since the Senate had not heard President for Student Affairs Mer- ate specifically because it has no real neglected and ignored in the break- “Then they asked another ques- directly from student workers before edith Harper Bonham ’92 also in at- power.” out groups. K-SWOC member and tion, which was ‘What did we get out this meeting, Gallagher believes that tendance. At the start of the meeting, Om- former Horn Technician Richard of this meeting?’ And unanimously, it was a required step for making rec- The administration organized the budsperson Carrie Knell reviewed Shapiro ’23 considered the meeting we said, ‘Nothing.’ We gained the ommendations to the administra- meeting in response to K-SWOC’s a set of communication agreements unproductive. knowledge that Campus Senate tion. demands for recognition. President to follow during the dialogue. Knell “It felt like I could say anything would be ineffective for addressing Gallagher also identified union Sean Decatur did not say that the clarified, however, that Board and to or about the Board members and these issues.” Ball said. recognition to be the biggest issue meeting was a formal response to K- Senate members would not respond it wouldn’t mean anything,” Shapiro Ball believes that the College is student employees raised during the SWOC’s demands, but considered it to dialogue prompts nor would they said. “I didn’t see them react or re- taking only performative actions meeting. an opportunity for “Senate to hear answer questions. Attendees were spond to anything. They just sat there while they avoid addressing the real Despite the administration’s directly from a broad cross section of then divided into breakout groups and looked away from the screen. issues. hesitance to recognize K-SWOC as students” as they continue their work that a facilitator guided. In the break- Didn’t do anything. So it’s like, ‘are Gallagher had intended for the a union, Ball remained optimistic on assessing student employment at out rooms, members of K-SWOC you really listening to me? Or is this breakout rooms to be open-ended about K-SWOC’s persistence. Kenyon. were each given two minutes to an- just a nothing event?’” discussions where students could “I think what they’re hoping for K-SWOC Steering Committee swer what their greatest workplace Towards the end of the Senate talk about their experiences without is that we’re going to graduate, and member and former Helpline em- problem was. meeting, the breakout groups re- feeling like they were being probed that this momentum that we’ve built ployee Graham Ball ’21 felt that the Additionally, just three days be- convened and facilitators read aloud or challenged. While she thinks the will dissipate,” Ball said. “What they meeting was simply a retreading of fore the meeting, without consulta- summaries of the discussions. K- questions given during breakout ses- don’t understand is that K-SWOC is old ground. He stated that if mem- tion, Senate Co-chair Delaney Galla- SWOC member Logan Snell ’22 sions could have been worded better, here to stay. We’ve already created an bers of the administration had at- gher ’23 informed the Collegian that thought some summaries failed to ac- Gallagher believes that the Senate and institution that will be advocating for tended any of K-SWOC’s events of reporters would not be allowed to re- curately represent the concerns raised Board of Trustees listened to student student workers for years to come.” the past couple months, they would cord these breakout rooms. by students. Student employment is- workers and successfully gathered have learned more than they had that “There will be no reporting from sues, he said, were presented in a way more information. News Assistant Amanda Pyne and day. Ball emphasized the severity of the small breakout rooms just the that downplayed their severity. “It’s very difficult to have those Staff Writer Jack Burczak contributed the student employees’ situations, large space, but after the small break- “In a forum made for listening to sorts of conversations, especially if to reporting. 2 Thursday, October 8 | kenyoncollegian.com P/D/F deadline is extended Panel discusses role of

SOPHIE KRICHEVSKY to provide added flexibility for MANAGING EDITOR students in recognition of the South in systemic racism difficulties [that] covid-19 im- On Monday, Oct. 5, Kenyon’s posed on both remote and on- faculty officially passed a reso- campus students,” Hawks wrote ZELLA LEZAK I am from the home of the Confed- lution to extend the deadline for in an email to the Collegian. “Af- STAFF WRITER eracy, where they made it their cap- students to change a course to or ter the Spring semester, the P/D/F ital, and I am from the place where from Pass/D/Fail (P/D/F) from deadline will revert to 6 weeks af- On Sept. 30, Kenyon hosted a vir- we brought the first enslaved Black six to eight weeks. The deadline, ter the start of the semester un- tual panel, “Southern Responses to bodies,” Rahim said. “If we can iden- previously this Friday, Oct. 9, has less there’s another resolution Social Injustice Confirmation.” The tify that slavery was real, that it hap- been postponed to Friday, Oct. that changes it for future terms.” panel, which delved into current pened, that it was a tragedy and a sin 23. This two-week extension will President Sean Decatur was events surrounding police brutality, of the United States, then we can get also apply to the spring semester. pleased with the faculty’s deci- the Black Lives Matter movement to a place where we can start to undo The vote comes after weeks of sion. “I think it’s a very reason- and the United States’ history of sys- all of the ramifications that slavery discussion, as professors sought able thing to do, given the con- temic racism, approached the topics has left in our society.” ways to accommodate students straints of this year,” he said. specifically from the perspective of Eventually, the conversation while they adapt to the difficul- Student Council Vice President people from the South. moved towards the differences and ties of learning during the pan- for Academic Affairs Delaney After the ongoing protests against similarities between racism in the demic. Gallagher ’23 agreed, but also the murders of unarmed Black people South and the North. Brenden Keefe According to Associate Profes- acknowledged that the pandem- by police, Wednesday night’s panel ’90, a chief investigative reporter at sor of Drama Anton Dudley, who ic will still pose academic chal- considered how to think about the Atlanta news network WXIA who serves as secretary of the faculty, lenges for students. “While this is South’s role in these events. While has covered the recent protests and the resolution passed “with over- not a perfect system, this is not a deconstructing racism in the U.S., riots, observed how Southern stereo- whelming support,” with 111 pro- perfect year,” she wrote in a mes- the panelists emphasized regional types come into play during these fessors in favor and four against. sage to the Collegian. “A certain nuances and challenged the stereo- conversations. However, Dean for Academic academic standard with flexibil- type that the South is more racist “When I post a news story, some Advising and Support Thomas ity as this offers is a good com- than the North. The conversation of my Northern friends will say, ‘oh, Hawks was careful to note that promise.” also touched on the risks of thinking well that’s just Georgia,’ as if it can the deadline extension is not a about the South as a homogeneously be written off,” he said. “There’s -an permanent change, and only ap- Students wishing to change a racist region. other saying we have in Atlanta: ‘For plies to this academic year. course to or from P/D/F can do so Michaela Jenkins ’19, who is cur- every mile you drive outside of the “[The extension] was intended by filling out Etrieve Form 63. rently a second-year sociology Ph.D. city of Atlanta, you drive a year back student at Emory University, com- in time.’” mented on the dangers of perpetu- Amid the Black Lives Matter ating stereotypes of people in the movement and the ongoing police South. “There are people of many brutality across the country, it can backgrounds [in the South], there are be difficult to know what the next people of many perspectives,” Jen- concrete steps are. Rahim noted the kins said. “Erasing that or painting reasoning behind why scholars are that with one fell swoop really mis- uplifting stories of racism and op- understands the purpose of under- pression to complement and contex- standing who is here and why you tualize the racism happening today. should care about those people.” “This [new knowledge] is also a re- Marilyn Yarbrough Fellow Raja minder that scholars have been talk- Rahim discussed the nuances of the ing about these issues and have been specific regions and cultures of the putting out the warning calls for a South, using her own experience as very long time to get us to a place an example. where we recognize the potential fire “I am from Richmond, Virginia. before someone lights the match.”

Edwards House sits on Gaskin Avenue. | SARA HALEBLIAN

Editors-in-Chief Evey Weisblat, News Editor Linnea Mumma Mae Hunt News Assistant Amanda Pyne Advertising and Subscriptions Managing Editor Sophie Features Editor Ariella Kissin Krichevsky Arts Editors Mikayla Connolly, Executive Director Elizabeth Fredrike Giron-Giessen Advertisers should contact the Collegian’s Executive Director via e-mail Stanley Opinions Editors Lucy White, Mia at [email protected] for current rates and further information. All Design Editors Emiliana Cardinale, Sherin materials should be sent to Executive Director, The Kenyon Collegian, P.O. Reid Stautberg Assistant Opinions Editor Salvatore Box 832, Gambier, OH 43022. Photography Editor Sara Macchione Yearly subscriptions to The Kenyon Collegian are available for $50. Haleblian Sports Editors Jordy Fee-Platt, Social Media Directors Emiliana Joe Wint Checks should be made payable to The Kenyon Collegian and directed to Cardinale, Joe Wint Sports Assistant Sydney Schulman the Editors-in-Chief. Contact [email protected]. Circulation Manager Jordy Fee- Cartoonist Alex Gilkey Platt Crossword Editor Reilly Wieland Office: 214 N. Acland Street Chief Copy Editor Andy Kelleher Advisor Emeritus P. F. Kluge Mailing address: The Kenyon Collegian, Student Activities , Gambier, Associate Copy Editor Adam Faculty Advisor Kurt Pyle Samet OH 43022 Copy Editors Meg Dye, Sydney Business address: P.O. Box 832, Gambier, OH, 43022 Hogan, Jack Kaple, Nick Singer E-mail address: [email protected], [email protected] Thursday, October 8 | kenyoncollegian.com 3 Village Council unanimously backs Fire Department levy SPENCER HIRSCH STAFF WRITER

At the Gambier Village Coun- cil meeting on Monday, Oct. 5, Council members voted unani- mously to approve a statement of support for a proposed property levy that will provide short-term aid to the College Township Fire Department. This vote will not affect the levy itself, but is simply an endorsement by the members of the Village Council. In recent years, the Depart- ment has struggled to keep up with budgetary deficits, which have left the station increas- ingly stretched in terms of both funding and personnel. The levy would only be, as Councilmem- ber Betsy Heer pointed out dur- ing the meeting, a “stop-gap mea- sure,” and would merely keep the Fire Department from closing its doors until an effective solution can be reached between the Vil- lage, Township and Kenyon. This levy would provide vital financial aid, according to Coun- cilmember Elizabeth Forman, because a large shortfall in the Department budget will become noticeable as early as next year. “We would be in danger of hav- ing fire and [Emergency Medi- cal Services] close to 15 minutes away from us,” Forman said. The levy will provide fund- ing to the Department through an increase in the millage rate, which reflects the amount of tax due for each $1,000 of a property’s value. Each mill generates any- where from $28,000 to $32,000 A new property tax levy will support the struggling College Township Fire Department. | SARA HALEBLIAN in revenue. The levy proposes an increase of six mills, which will ship Trustee Doug McLarnan, However, just as the leaders of tainable. Councilmembers remained apply to property owners within put aside their personal reser- the Fire Department made clear, At the meeting, Forman in- steadfast in their support for a the Village and the Township, ex- vations about a property tax in- Forman noted during the meet- troduced a committee that will temporary solution. “There’s not cluding exempt properties owned crease. “For me, [the new levy] is ing that representatives of each investigate ways to create new a lot more important than pro- by the College. about $500 on my property. But party will “have to figure out a revenue streams for the Fire De- tecting people’s lives,” said Coun- Looking to the immediate I’ll tell you what — if there is no way to pay for some of our pub- partment. According to Forman, cilmember Phil Brooks. future of emergency response fire department here, it’s more lic goods, not only on property the committee will carry out this Should the proposal pass on in Gambier, various meeting at- than $500 on my insurance bill,” [taxes],” since repeated millage work over the next four to five Election Day, the levy will come tendees, including College Town- said McLarnan. rate increases would not be sus- months. into effect in January of 2021. CSAD hosts event focusing on racism in American politics

BEN GROSS ticular phrase of the document was aspira- it allows you to ignore concrete issues of STAFF WRITER tional, but not reflective of the lived expe- social policy.” rience of many Americans. Rowe then moved the conversation to- On Oct. 6, the Center for the Study of The conversation soon moved towards wards how individuals interact with each American Democracy (CSAD) held the the central impediments in achieving the other in everyday life. Porteous argued second of this year’s series of panels dis- aspirations of the Declaration. Ukhun, a that every individual has a responsibility cussing the viability of the American ex- Washington D.C. educator and activist, to see every person as an individual, and periment. The subject of the panel was said that she believed that racism was the that doing that was part of the solution to race and identity in American politics. Di- most pressing problem in the United States the problems of racism in the U.S. rector of CSAD and Professor of Political today. Ukhun defined racism as “how we When the panel spoke about pos- Science David Rowe moderated the panel, deal with people who are not white, any sible solutions to the problems of racism which consisted of Professor of Political type of system that or policy that is set and discrimination, general consensus Science Fred Baumann, Densil Porteous against people who are not white, that are emerged among the panelists: Viewing ’02, Kelley Coleman Ukhun ’92 and Eliza- meant to prevent them from accessing the others as individuals rather than general- beth Westfall P’23. full liberties of the country.” izing or stereotyping them is vital to over- The discussion began by focusing on “Racism would be not just the discrimi- coming racism in the U.S. Equally impor- the founding of the United States and the nation, but the power to implement policy tant is the need for white people, and not Declaration of Independence. Panelists ex- to make sure that the discrimination is just people of color, to engage in frank and amined in particular the phrase “all men grounded,” she went on to say. honest dialogue on the topic of race. are created equal” and several members Baumann pushed back on this defi- Porteous in particular stressed the need pointed out both the exclusion of women nition of racism. “I think that is, and for for open discussion on the subject of racial and how several of the Founding Fathers many reasons, a bad way to look at it,” he injustice, saying, “Wake up, have a conver- themselves had owned slaves. Westfall, a said. “I agree with John McWhorter, who sation, feel comfortable — get out of this civil rights litigator, argued that this par- describes it as ‘a dead end.’Partly, it’s that space of ‘we can’t’ and talk to people.” ALEX GILKEY 4 Thursday, October 8 FEATURES kenyoncollegian.com Instagram account showcases Peirce’s plentiful tofu options

EMILY YOURMAN mor that I find in Kenyon tofu is STAFF WRITER that like one day the regular op- tion was fish, so they tried to make the tofu fishy,” said Braun. A new Instagram account has The photo that inspired the ac- taken Kenyon’s student body by count features a takeout box con- storm: @kenyontofu. Members of taining three pieces of tofu and the vegan and vegetarian com- nothing more. There was a tor- munities submit photos of Peirce nado warning that day, so Braun Dining Hall’s tofu to the account, understood why the kitchen staff and the images are then posted was unable to give them anything with a description and a rating out more. However, he and many oth- of 10. In the month it has been ac- ers still found the situation hu- tive, the account has amassed 140 morous. “It was so sad looking,” followers, including Kenyon stu- Brain said. dents and even some parents. Oftentimes the co-founders’ For the first month that stu- ratings are not in agreement. “Jack dents were on campus, meals were and I almost everyday have dif- served grab-and-go style, with a fering opinions on the tofu,” said significantly reduced number of Donahue. On Sept. 14, Braun rat- options. There was one vegan op- ed the tofu 3/10 and posted that it tion available to students each was “mushy, wet, and dry all at the meal — and, more often than not, same time.” However, Donahue it was tofu. Jack Braun ’24, notic- gave the dish an 8.5/10, describing ing this trend, began taking pho- it as “crispy on the outside, actu- tos of the tofu. He mentioned this ally seasoned.” They decided to to his therapist, and she suggested make two posts that day and let he create an Instagram account their followers comment on which rating the meals. He then told Eva opinion they agreed with. Donahue ’24 and Shelby Goodwin The Peirce servery reopened on ’24 about the idea, and they decid- Sept. 20, and since then there has ed to run the account as a group. been noticeably less tofu. Howev- The group aims to create a er, the account is still going strong, space where students can laugh providing food reviews and hu- about the copious amounts of tofu mor for the non-meat-eaters on together. “I think a lot of the hu- campus.

@kenyontofu on Instagram provides tofu enthusiasts a space to rant and rave about Peirce Dining Hall’s take on the vegetarian staple. | COURTESY OF @KENYONTOFU Thursday, October 8 | kenyoncollegian.com 5 New affinity group provides space for ace and aro students OCEAN WEI Queer and Trans Studies Confer- In addition, Juag hopes that it will citing their training of faculty and STAFF WRITER ence. According to Juag, ASAP is help the rest of the campus real- staff about aro- and ace-specific a fairly non-committal organiza- ize that there is a space for people terminologies. ARIELLA KISSIN tion, and students are welcome to who fall under the aro and ace When the group first formed, FEATURES EDITOR come to as many or as few meetings spectrum and advocates within the Juag was apprehensive about stu- as they wish. Juag hopes to raise community. dent interest, but more members Ace Space and Aro Place (ASAP) awareness about different asexual Bussey also noted that ASAP showed up than she had antici- is the newest LGBTQIA+ organiza- and aromantic experiences and has tabled in Peirce Dining Hall to pated. The group attracted stu- tion on campus. According to As- provide a place for other students distribute resources aimed at help- dents who fall on the aro and ace sociate Director of Office of Diver- to learn more about the commu- ing students better understand aro- spectrums as well as allies who are sity, Equity, and Inclusion Timothy nity. and ace-specific vocabulary. Juag invested in LGBTQIA+ issues, she Bussey, who serves as the group’s As part of their community- also plans for the group to host said. co-advisor, ASAP aims to create a building efforts, ASAP hosts and events in February during Aroman- Ultimately, Juag is happy about safe place for students who identify partakes in programming. During tic Awareness Week. where the organization is head- as aromantic (aro) or asexual (ace), Ace Awareness Week, which will Juag believes that aro- and ace- ing and excited that asexual and as well as provide educational out- take place between Oct. 25 and identifying students have gener- aromantic identities are becom- reach to allosexual and alloroman- Oct. 31 this year, ASAP plans to ally been welcomed and included ing better understood. Juag hopes tic individuals — those who do not host a student-led panel. Accord- in LGBTQIA+ spaces on campus. to continue providing a space for identify as asexual or aromantic. ing to Bussey, the event will “help “Kenyon is good about including first-year students in the aro and ASAP co-president Nyandeng allosexual folks with better un- us in general programming,” Juag ace community as well as students Juag ’22 said the group was found- derstanding how they can be more noted. She is especially grateful who are just beginning to question ed after the spring 2019 Kenyon inclusive to the ace community.” for Bussey’s tremendous support, their identities.

CLASS CLASH compiled by Ariella Kissin and Sophie Krichevsky Senior Class Junior Class Sophomore Class First-Year Class Total: Total: Total: Total: 13 10 14 12

Answer Annie Mogilnicki Lauren Redman ’22 Rocco Danese ’23 Osi Holt ’24 ’21

How many counties are in 88 ( ±3) 20 83 86 86 Ohio?

How many Instagram followers, in the thousands, 11.9 ( ±1) 10 13 12 11 does Kenyon currently have?

In which month does Russia celebrate the October November December November November November Revolution?

Which dorm on campus is Bushnell Bushnell McBride Bushnell Bushnell currently empty?

Weekly Scores 1 1 4 4 6 Thursday, October 8 ARTS kenyoncollegian.com Cabaret-19 presents alternative to live productions this fall

PEGGY STANSBERRY STAFF WRITER performed by Wickham Bermingham ’23, demonstrates the theme of alien- ation during COVID-19. “The dance This fall, Kenyon’s Department of goes in and out of different emotional Dance, Drama, and Film is putting to- landscapes, showing feelings of solace, gether Cabaret-19: a production com- frustration, anger and disgust about be- posed of various monologues, short ing alone during COVID in a stylized plays, dance pieces and musical num- way,” Radella said. bers, all related to COVID-19 and cur- Radella’s other dance, “Boomerang,” rent events. composed by Khiyon Hursey and per- Due to COVID-19 and physical dis- formed by Bella Kimbrough ’24, ad- tancing guidelines, the Department dresses Black Lives Matter and civil could not put on their typical ensemble rights issues. According to Radella, shows in Bolton The- “Trying to be resilient ater. Instead of cancel- in these times when ling the fall production there’s an absence of all together, Associ- hope or support is seen ate Professor of Drama in the movement and Anton Dudley came up trajectory of the dance.” with the idea to create a Additionally, the dance digital theater produc- incorporates a record- tion. ing of Morgan Freeman Before the fall se- ALEX GILKEY reading the last para- mester, Dudley contacted a variety of graph of an essay John Lewis wrote be- off-campus lyricists and playwrights, fore his death. asking them to write short pieces that Kimbrough will also perform a relate to COVID-19 and other current monologue directed by Dudley and As- events. The performances are filmed, -al sistant Director Zola Gray ’23. In the lowing for more students to be involved monologue, written by Nambi E. Kelley with the production and for the unique and titled “Under the Bridge Is Where opportunity of collaboration within the I Drew Some Blood,” Kimbrough por- Department. Currently in production, trays a woman who has recently lost her Cabaret-19 will be made available on the job and become homeless because of Kenyon website on Oct. 23 for viewing. COVID-19. The Department cast students both According to Kimbrough, Cabaret-19 on and off campus for the production. shows the resilience of the Kenyon com- The students have been rehearsing all munity. “We are making light of a dark semester and are now filming their piec- situation, and — regardless of the state es. Assistant Professor of Dance Kora of the world — we are still able to come Radella, who choreographed two danc- together and create something creative es for Cabaret-19, said that she spends that showcases all our talents,” she said. about seven hours a week rehearsing with the students. Cabaret-19 will be released on Oct. 23 Wickham Bermingham ’23 at Gund Gallery | COURTESY OF KORA RADELLA One of Radella’s dances, “I so la tion,” at 8 p.m. at kenyon.edu/cabaret-19. The Vocal Box refocuses its mission towards social justice

FREDRIKE GIRON-GIESSEN pandemic and the changing this month on misogynoir ARTS EDITOR situation on campus, they — discrimination against have yet to receive confir- Black women. According to Poetry clubs are among mation. As a result, they’ve Daniels, future panels will the few student groups that had to slightly reframe the cover an array of topics, fo- can operate with more pas- group’s objective. cusing on other identities as sion in 2020. The themes Instead, The Vocal Box well. The group hopes it will of isolation in quarantine is focusing its efforts on generate discussions con- and Black Lives Matter have addressing the Black Lives cerning inclusivity and so- inspired many to pick up Matter movement in addi- cial justice. their pens and start writ- tion to the disproportion- The Vocal Box will also ing. Members of poetry or- ate impact the COVID-19 host writing sessions to ganization The Vocal Box pandemic has had on Black, construct poems about top- have used this time to refine Indigenous and People of ics such as inequity. The their craft. Color and low-income com- readings of these poems Founded last year by Aa- munities. will most likely be posted liyah Daniels ’23 and Mi- “We’re focusing on the to The Vocal Box Instagram chelle Lin ’23, The Vocal political aspect of poetry @thevocalbox in lieu of the Box would normally aim to and teaching people some group’s usual in-person po- get a team of poets to the things about how spoken- etry readings in Peirce Pub. College Union Poetry Slam word artists are political “We are doing this be- Invitational (CUPSI), an an- and how we challenge social cause there is a history of nual poetry slam hosted by justice through our art,” events affecting marginal- the Association of College Daniels wrote in an email to ized identities and an in- Unions International. the Collegian. correct retelling of these In order to make it to The Vocal Box strives to events,” Daniels said. CUPSI, the group must part- showcase how people have In addition to their up- ner with the Department of processed the misfortunes coming panels, The Vocal English and collect 20 po- of the pandemic through Box holds meetings every ems by students. Daniels is spoken word, according to Friday at 8 p.m, and infor- working to get the support Daniels. mation about their Say Our The Vocal Box’s logo | COURTESY OF THE VOCAL BOX of the Department. How- The group is moving Name series will be an- ever, because of the ongoing forward with two panels nounced soon. Thursday, October 8 OPINIONS kenyoncollegian.com 7 STAFF EDITORIAL Kenyon needs more COVID-19 testing

MAGGIE FOIGHT make all the difference. my results. Kinsa health app sup- Kenyon should CONTRIBUTER The testing has re- Kenyon has also ported by Kenyon im- laxed now, about a month voiced strong confidence mediately suggests that When we first arrived and a half into the semes- in its wastewater testing I stay in if I put in that cancel classes this on campus about six ter. Instead of anticipat- protocols and its distri- I have a runny nose or a weeks ago, I was genu- ing negative results every bution of daily health as- headache. If it’s difficult Election Day inely impressed with Ke- week, we have to wait al- sessment materials, but for an app made by doc- nyon’s COVID-19 testing most a month in between these measures are not tors to make the distinc- approach. All students tests because Kenyon’s sufficiently reassuring. tion without testing, how and faculty were given current cycle only tests The wastewater test- are students supposed to a quarter of campus each ing would be a comfort to know? In what is arguably the most momentous free, self-administered week. This leaves the po- the community — if the Don’t get me wrong: election in recent years, we at the Collegian tests three times dur- tential for a student who results were explained to I’m incredibly proud of are pleased to see that the College and its stu- ing the first three weeks tests negative, but later students in an easily di- how the College has han- dent organizations have both taken addition- we were on campus, and contracts the virus, to gestible and accessible dled the return of stu- al measures to help students register to vote. were told that informa- infect others for almost way. To find this data dents to campus. Only This represents a significant improvement tion about potential cas- a month before realizing was hard enough, but to our resilient, creative from last semester, when dozens of students es would be posted on that they are positive. analyze it was another community would be had to rush to register after CSAD botched the the College’s COVID-19 Additionally, tests thing completely. able to safely accomplish registration process. However, simply helping Dashboard (updated dai- have been and still are As for the daily health something like this. to register voters is not enough. If the College ly). self-administered, with assessments, quite hon- However, if Kenyon truly wants students to vote, it should do ev- As time has worn on no accessible option that estly, Kenyon is relying truly wants to ease stu- erything in its power to make voting as acces- and testing frequency allows for a medical pro- too much on its students dent concerns about test- sible as possible. To this end, Kenyon should has decreased, however, fessional to conduct the to know the difference ing positive, weekly test- cancel all classes this Election Day, Tuesday, I am more anxious than test. The reliability of between a COVID-19 ing is the least it could Nov. 3. ever, constantly worried the results, as a conse- cough and a cough from offer. Despite the high Even when Kenyon students register to about testing standards quence, are left up to the a common cold or sea- cost of it, weekly testing vote, it has not always translated into action and the potential for an students’ competence in sonal allergies. Even if is a simple choice that — in 2016, around 85% of students were regis- under-the-radar spread self-administering tests. students monitor their shows us empathy and tered to vote and only about 42% actually vot- of the virus. Why can’t Each time I exit the test- symptoms daily, the compassion. ed. Cancelling class on Election Day, among Kenyon continue to test ing space, I’ve worried symptoms overlap with Maggie Foight ’23 is an other concrete measures by the College, would all students weekly? It whether I stuck the swab simple diagnoses too English major from Sink- help to close this gap. seems like an incredibly far enough up my nose, frequently for an assess- ing Spring, Pa. You can It is no secret that voters across the country simple choice and despite or if my unsanitized ment to be worth any- contact her at foight1@ must overcome various challenges in order to the cost, it really would hands have contaminated thing. For example, the kenyon.edu. cast their ballots this election cycle. The USPS is stifled by a lack of funding, making it un- able to accommodate the increased number of mail-in ballots amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Settle for Biden in 2020, but don’t stop there This is in addition to the nation’s long history MARY HESTER there. It is this sentiment that has fine people,” announced the with- of voter disenfranchisement, especially among CONTRIBUTER sparked calls across social media drawal of the U.S. from the Paris Black voters. With all of these hurdles, voters to “Settle for Biden.” Climate Accords, has had count- have a lot more on their minds than simply I stood at the polls this spring There are many reasons pro- less sexual assault allegations who they are voting for this cycle. For Kenyon to vote in my first presidential pri- gressives did not initially support against him and has botched the students, balancing their academic responsi- mary. As a staunch Elizabeth War- Biden. Unlike many of his oppo- response to a pandemic that led to bilities with getting to the polls shouldn’t be ren supporter, I was excited: excit- nents in the Democratic primary, the deaths of more than 200,000 added to this list. ed for the opportunity to vote for he is not a supporter of Medicare Americans. Given this almost un- Cancelling class on Election Day is also in a candidate who was progressive, for All or the Green New Deal. ending list of his “accomplish- the community’s best interest. Not only will it highly educated and genuine. A However, he has worked on a Uni- ments” in the last four years, I allow students to prioritize voting, but it will week later, after the Super Tuesday ty Task Force with Sen. Bernie don’t think I’d like to see another also allow faculty to do the same. It would also elections, it became clear that Joe Sanders, pushing many of his poli- four. have health and safety benefits. Typically, the Biden would be the 2020 Demo- cies further to the left. In response So why is it so hard for some to Gambier Community Center is flooded with cratic presidential nominee. In an to calls for universal healthcare, settle? Understandably, many are voters at peak hours, especially before dinner, election that is, to many, a matter Biden supports a public option discouraged by the fact that nei- in between classes and during Common Hour. of life or death, the concept of a which gives everyone access to an ther party has stepped up to ad- Cancelling classes would limit this conges- 77-year-old white man spearhead- affordable public healthcare plan equately address the current state tion and thus help maintain social distancing. ing the campaign against Donald through the Affordable Care Act of the nation. That being said, Additionally, poll workers tend to be some of Trump is undeniably dishearten- Marketplace. The Task Force has simply not participating in a sys- Kenyon’s more elderly community members, ing. Now more than ever, though, also laid out a plan to make Amer- tem because it is flawed is not an including several professors. Since seniors are it is imperative that we use our ica’s energy industry carbon neu- option right now. This election is considered a high-risk group for COVID-19, vote for change, even if we have to tral by 2035 and create “good-pay- our chance to vote against racism, there has been an increased demand for young do so unenthusiastically. ing” union jobs in the process. bigotry and hatred, but our actions people to work the polls. If Kenyon were to Simply not voting for Joe Biden These plans, paired with prom- should not stop there. Vote. Pro- cancel classes, more students would be able to because he is not the candidate ises to address racial injustice and test. Call your senators. Donate do this important job, taking the burden off of you want him to be is not a lux- issues within the criminal justice to impactful organizations. Share older community members. ury that we have at this in system mean that, while certain- resources on social media. Settle Just as employees burdened with work re- time. Many of the people who are ly not perfect, Biden has dedicat- for Biden and protect the future of sponsibilities have trouble getting to the polls suffering firsthand from the sit- ed himself to making meaningful American democracy. every Election Day, so too do students over- ting president’s policies are un- change for the country moving Mary Hester ’22 is a political sci- whelmed with academic responsibilities. We able to vote. Therefore, those of us forward. ence major from Bloomingdale, Ill. hope that Kenyon will continue their efforts who can vote have a duty to vote Meanwhile, Donald Trump has You can contact her at hester2@ke- to help students and faculty participate in this for change and keep working from called white supremacists “very nyon.edu. extremely important election by giving them the time and space to vote safely. The opinions page is a space for members of the community to discuss issues relevant to the campus and The staff editorial is written weekly by edi- the world at large. The opinions expressed on this page belong only to the writers. Columns and letters to the editors do not reflect the opinions of theCollegian staff. All members of the community are welcome to tors-in-chief Mae Hunt ’21 and Evey Weisblat express opinions through a letter to the editor. ’21, managing editor Sophie Krichevsky ’21 and The Kenyon Collegian reserves the right to edit all letters submitted for length and clarity. The Collegian executive director Elizabeth Stanley ’21. You cannot accept anonymous or pseudonymous letters. Letters must be signed by individuals, not organizations, can contact them at [email protected], weis- and must be 200 words or fewer. Letters must also be received no later than the Tuesday prior to publication. The Kenyon Collegian prints as many letters as possible each week subject to space, interest [email protected], [email protected] and appropriateness. Members of the editorial board reserve the right to reject any submission. The views and [email protected], respectively. expressed in the paper do not necessarily reflect the views of Kenyon College. 8 Thursday, October 8| kenyoncollegian.com

ALEX GILKEY

ETHAN BONNELL REILLY WIELAND Across Down CONTRIBUTER CROSSWORD EDITOR 1 In ____ straits 1 “_____, duck, dip, dive and _____” 5 Loose, as a rope 2 Lightbulbs, in comics 10 Wozzeck composer 3 Make fun of 14 Sign of a food gone bad 4 South extension CROSSWORD 15 The obscure animal for the week: 5 Songbird Pygmy armadillo native to Chile 6 Former capital of Italy? 16 What an integral might measure 7 Do one’s part 17 Rat Pack crooner 8 Johnson: “By day the frolic, and the 19 Perform “Happy Birthday,” say dance by night,” e.g. 20 “Jumpin Jack Flash” is one 9 Ignited 21 Mrs. in Madrid 10 NaOH, e.g. 22 Sum things 11 Yeats’ home 24 Purim heroine 12 Separate 26 ____ of Man 13 Laugh lines 27 What one who passes ECON 205 18 Tiny fraction of a min. might be 23 Artoo-_____ 33 Prefix with -scope 25 Calfless cow 36 Ended up? 26 Rhinoceros playwright 37 Treat (others), per the golden rule 28 Election Day mo. 38 Has a rest day 29 Flexible tempo 40 Cur curer 30 Halogen suffixes 42 Heeds 31 Eye sore 43 Face saver? 32 Flip, as a coin 45 Fa follower 33 Short films? 47 Grieg’s “____ death” 34 Biblical hairy brother 48 Election of 2000 arbiter 35 Play like a puppy 51 Where Johnny Cash shot a man, 39 Brother, in Brest perhaps 41 Between “one” and “many” 52 Like Beethoven’s Ninth 44 Slaps a fine on 56 Open to close 46 Morning star, or a Fox TV show 60 Neckwear 49 Stop for the night 61 Aerial anomaly 50 Stat leader? 62 Justin Vernon’s project Bon ____ 53 Molly Bloom’s soliloquy is one 63 Second-most common home state 54 Like 63-Across, currently for Kenyon students 55 Headache for college graduates Oct. 1 Solutions 66 Chinese dynasty contemporaneous 56 Pirsig novel subtitled “An Inquiry with Song into Morals” 67 Student of Rousseau 57 “Who knows what ____ lurks in the 68 Kenyon art venue hearts of men?” 69 Sidekick 58 Color named for a duck 70 Inside the Third Reich author 59 Helen’s new home 71 Snake eyes 60 Patio piece 64 Polygraph’s target 65 Mass-over-volume symbol

Did you finish this crossword? Email a photo of your completed cross- word to [email protected].

You can also complete this crossword online at kenyoncollegian.com/section/opinion. Thursday, October 8 SPORTS kenyoncollegian.com 9 After eventful postseason, Lakers and Heat face off in Finals

HUIJUN MAO STAFF WRITER

The 2020 NBA Finals are currently underway between the Lakers and the Heat. This year’s Finals are un- like any other. For the first time, the series is being played at a neutral site in Orlando, Fla., amid a global pandemic. The Finals are also unique for Lakers star for- ward LeBron James, who will be facing off against his old team and former coach . James left the Heat in 2014 after four Finals ap- pearances and two champion- ALEX GILKEY ships for the franchise. This season also marks 10 appearances for James in the NBA Finals, more appear- playoffs, according to Yahoo the earlier rounds. Despite ship, while Adebayo needs to advantage of the lack of size ances than all but three fran- Sports. the Lakers winning in five outplay Davis in the paint. in the Celtics’ front court. chises in NBA history (Lak- Due to the excellent play games, the Nuggets, led by Ja- The Heat had a more ar- Thus far, the Lakers and ers, Celtics, Warriors). This of James and Davis, the Lak- mal Murray and Nikola Jokic, duous path to the Finals Heat have played four games is James’ first Finals with the ers got through the Western certainly made a statement as than their counterpart. After in the Finals. The Lakers Lakers after joining the team Conference playoffs relative- a team to look out for in the sweeping the Indiana Pacers started off strong, winning in in 2018. If the Lakers go on ly easily; no team was able Western Conference for the in the first round, the Heat a blowout 116-98. Davis led to win the title, Los Angeles to set up an effective defense foreseeable future. In Game played the Milwaukee Bucks, the Lakers with 34 points. To will tie the for against the two superstars. 2, the Nuggets led late in the facing the two-time reigning make matters worse for the most championships of all The Lakers easily defeated a fourth quarter. However, in MVP and DPOY Giannis An- Heat, Adebayo and their start- time with 17. depleted Portland Trail Blaz- the final seconds, with the tetokounmpo. The Bucks had ing guard Goran Dragić were The two superstars of the ers team in five games in the score tied, hit the best overall record in the injured during the first game Lakers, James and teammate first round. a demoralizing buzzer-beat- regular season and a histori- and missed the following two Anthony Davis, are consid- Even the , ing 3 to give the Lakers a 2-0 cally stout defense. Jimmy games. After the Heat lost in ered the two best players in who ranked third in defensive series lead. Butler’s stellar play, along Game 2, took this series. The duo finished rating in the playoffs, could Their Finals opponents, with lights-out shooting from it upon himself to swing the third and fourth in the MVP not handle the combination the Heat, also have two super- Heat key players, carried the momentum of the series, even race this year, respectively. of James and Davis in the stars of their own: five-time Heat to a shocking victory: with two important players Davis also came in second for Western Conference Semi- All-Star Jimmy Butler and They won the series in just watching from the sidelines. the Defensive Player of the finals, falling to the Lakers first-time All-Star Bam Ade- five games. Butler boasted a historic Fi- Year award (DPOY). In the four games to one. bayo. All eyes are set on the In the Conference Finals, nals performance, recording playoffs, they are averaging a The Lakers then faced off rivalry between James and the Heat had a hard-fought a 40-point, 10- and combined 55.5 points on 65% against a resilient Denver Davis and Butler and Ade- battle with a deep Boston 13- triple-double on the true shooting, 19.6 rebounds, Nuggets squad, which had bayo. There are two key ele- Celtics team and won in six way to a 115-104 Game 3 victo- 12.5 assists and 4.8 com- made NBA history, coming ments to this matchup: Butler games. Adebayo was central ry for Miami. Before the game bined blocks and steals in the back from two 3-1 deficits in must match James’ leader- to the Heat’s efforts, taking had ended, LeBron James was seen on television leaving the court in frustration. In Game 4 on Tuesday, with the Lakers up 2-1, both teams provided the most intense competition of the whole se- ries. In the end, the Lakers were able to get key contri- butions from their role play- ers down the stretch, winning 102-96. The Lakers will take a 3-1 lead into Game 5 of the Fi- nals on Friday, Oct. 9 at 9 p.m. It will be a difficult path for the Heat to come back in the series, with only one team ever overcoming a 3-1 deficit in the Finals (the James-led in 2016). The team hopes guard Goran Dragić will return from in- jury, which would provide a big scoring and facilitating boost. Nonetheless, the Heat will have a daunting task of slowing down LeBron James, who has a .792 winning pct all-time in closeout games, the best record of any player The and will play the fifth game of the championship series on Friday night. | VIA PIXY.ORG in NBA postseason history. 10 Thursday, October 8 | kenyoncollegian.com Big Ten football becomes battleground in upcoming election

ALEX GILKEY

SYDNEY SCHULMAN SPORTS ASSISTANT from the current United States president tionally Democratic-voting states. in Cleveland, declaring, “It was me [who was certainly unexpected. While the Trump administration has brought about the return to play], and I’m Amid the coronavirus pandemic, many Unlike coaches and fans, Trump did consistently urged the Big Ten to play, of- very happy to do it and the people of Ohio political concerns have come to the fore- not demand college football’s return for fering them federal aid, the Biden cam- are very proud of me.” front of Americans’ minds. What is not personal reasons, like the loss of a commu- paign has taken an opposing stance, circu- Ultimately, whether the Big Ten would expected, however, is one of these issues nity or family tradition, and instead chose lating a video of empty stadiums on social play this season depended not on partisan being college football. As the election ap- to politicize the issue. According to NBC media with a caption stating that Trump politics, but on the universities themselves. proaches, President Donald Trump and News, Trump utilized college football as had “put America on the sidelines” with As Morton Schapiro, president at North- former Vice President Joe Biden have an example of unnecessary economic de- his handling of COVID-19. western University and Big Ten chairman, voiced their opinions on the status of this cline during the pandemic, emphasizing On Sept. 16, the Big Ten schools unani- explained, the decision to return to play season. that all businesses should remain open mously reversed their August decision and “wasn’t about political pressure; it wasn’t Back in mid-August, both the Big Ten during the pandemic despite the advice of decided to go forward with competition about money, it wasn’t about lawsuits and Conference and the Pac-12 Conference medical experts, who advise against public after discussion with conference presi- it wasn’t about what everyone else is do- made the decision to cancel their 2020 gatherings. Trump made a personal call to dents and medical officials. Since August, ing.” seasons in hopes of slowing the spread of Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren and, the league has secured daily testing and The pandemic and this year as a whole COVID-19 and protecting students, play- according to Warren, “made it very clear more frequent medical screenings, which have been a reflective period for many ers and surrounding communities. For that he would help in any way that he pos- conference officials pointed to as a decid- people, with heightened discussions of Division I athletics, a multibillion-dollar sibly could to help us return to competi- ing factor for returning to play. However, race relations, workers’ rights, healthcare industry, the choice to cancel competition tion,” he said in a press conference. the presence of the virus at Big Ten uni- and more. In light of this, it seems odd that did not come without financial burdens It is no coincidence that the Trump ad- versities has been pervasive, with colleges college football has been such a prominent to the universities. Many of these institu- ministration decided to take this stance in the conference together accounting for topic of discussion for politicians. The tions rely on their athletic programs to at- with a focus on the Big Ten, a conference thousands of cases. Nonetheless, univer- public will never know for sure which fac- tract publicity, new students and alumni that is centered in many Midwestern and sity and athletic officials claim to be better tors were most persuasive in the Big Ten’s donations. swing states. Trump is continuing to po- positioned to handle the virus than they decision, or what ultimately led to the Along with this financial loss, many liticize the coronavirus, and his insistence were in August, despite Warren’s earlier NCAA’s position. What can be addressed Americans see college football as a cultur- that college football must go on plays right assertion that the decision would “not be for certain, however, is the use of sports al tradition with a great deal of sentimen- into his repeated downplaying of the pan- revisited.” as a political maneuver. We see our presi- tal value. Fans across the country have demic. In their discourse surrounding col- The reversal was abrupt and shock- dent focusing on something that seems in- been advocating for football to go forward lege football, Trump and Vice President ing to many, so its true origins have been significant in light of the current state of despite the clear danger posed by the vi- Mike Pence have zeroed in on these battle- largely speculated. Trump has attempted our nation, and it distracts from the more rus. One might expect the opposition to ground areas in an attempt to rally conser- on multiple occasions to take credit for the pressing issues at hand. At the same time, the Big Ten and Pac-12’s initial decisions to vative supporters and sway undecided vot- shift, tweeting things like “great honor to we are reminded that sports are not only have come largely from dedicated coaches ers. At the same time, they overlooked the have helped!!!” He kept this attitude dur- entertainment, but also occupy a central and fans — which it did — but backlash Pac-12, which houses teams in more tradi- ing the most recent presidential debate role in the public eye.